Uni K Wax Studios claims New Jersey franchisee breached contract

MIAMI — UKW Franchising Company is suing Hope Courage and Faith Inc. (HCF) for failing to abide by its franchise agreement.

Marlene Mras was also named as a defendant in the suit.

UKW franchises Uni K Wax Studios and HCF entered into an agreement with UKW to operate a studio in New Jersey, according to a complaint filed June 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida-Miami Division.

Mras is the owner of HCF and was the one who entered into the agreement for HCF.

Zachary Foster of Quarles & Brady
Quarles & Brady

UKW claims HCF and Mras failed to follow UKW's system multiple times and failed to pay franchise fees.

The studio opened in March 2017 and closed in February 2018. HCF had been issued notices of default for failing to follow UKW's strict system at least five times during the time it was open.

Mras closed the studio instead of fixing the issues noted in the notices of default, according to the suit.

HCF abandoned the Uni K Wax studio and UKW then sent a notice of termination to Mras and HCF, stating that it would acquire all furniture and other personal property in the studio and credit $2,500 toward what HCF owed.

After UKW found someone to take over the Uni K Wax studio, it went to the location and discovered that all furniture and property had been removed.

UKW claims HCF and Mras unlawfully removed the property, and sold it to another UKW franchisee.

UKW then had to pay $5,000 to resolve a collateral interest issue with M&T Bank on the property where the studio had been.

The defendants owed UKW $12,010.64, which they failed to pay, according to the suit.

UKW claims the defendants breached their contract and Mras is in breach of guaranty.

UKW is seeking damages of more than $75,000. It is represented by Zachary Foster of Quarles & Brady.

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